NEWS

Des Moines police identify teen killed by train

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have identified a teenager who died while trying to climb aboard a slow-moving freight train.

Police announced Monday that 18-year-old Phillip Tyshawn Simmons died in the early morning accident.

Officers were called to a crossing on the city's east side at 1:18 a.m. and determined that a teen had been waiting with friends at a rail crossing. The teen tried to climb onto the train, possibly to cross to the other side.

Police say he fell during this attempt. He was caught beneath the train and dragged along the tracks.

The train operator was notified and stopped the cars while police investigated. Several rail crossings were blocked by the train through the early morning hours.